After 12 seasons, Eamonn Walker, who portrays fire chief Wallace Boden on Chicago Fire, is leaving the show. He has been a part of the original cast since the show premiered in 2012. Boden’s character has evolved throughout the series, starting as Battalion Chief of Battalion 25 and eventually being promoted to Deputy District Chief. In the upcoming episodes, Boden will be competing for the role of Deputy Fire Commissioner with Chief Robinson.
While Walker is leaving the show, Boden’s character will still be alive and well, and there are plans for him to return in a recurring capacity in the future. The actor’s departure was reported by Deadline on May 7, with his last episode scheduled to air on May 22, 2024. In Season 12, Episode 9, Boden took a leave of absence from Firehouse 51 to support his stepson, James. The length of this hiatus was unknown at the time, but it now seems to be connected to Walker’s exit.
In the Season 12 finale, titled “Never Say Goodbye,” Boden will make a decision that impacts the race for Deputy Commissioner. The episode will also explore tense situations for other characters such as Carver and Damon, as well as Mouch who struggles to adjust to changes in the new Truck. Walker’s departure is just one of several cast changes that have occurred this season, with Kara Killmer and Alberto Rosende also leaving their roles in previous episodes.
Following Walker’s exit, there will be four original firefighters remaining on the show, including Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Joe Minoso, and Christian Stolte. Kinney previously took a sudden leave of absence, causing his character Severide to miss a few episodes in Season 12. As the show continues to evolve with new cast members and storylines, fans will have to stay tuned to see how the departure of Walker’s character will impact Firehouse 51 and its remaining firefighters.